Non-folding e-bikes to be banned on London Tube and rail services

All non-folding e-bikes will be banned on London Tube and rail services from the end of the month to ensure the safety of customers and staff, it has been announced.

Transport for London (TfL) said it has been working with the London Fire Brigade and other partners to carry out a comprehensive review of the safety of e-bikes and their suitability for carriage on the transport network.

The train drivers union Aslef welcomed the move after pressing for a ban on safety grounds.

Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan said: “The safety of Londoners is my top priority and, while most e-bikes are safe, there have been a small number of incidents where non-foldable e-bikes have caught fire on the transport system, which have caused me great concern.

“This is why, following a comprehensive review of the safety of e-bikes, TfL is banning all non-folding e-bikes on Tube and rail services. I have asked TfL to continue to work with Government and partners to improve e-bike safety as we build a safer London for everyone.”

TfL said in a statement: “While the majority of e-bikes are safe, there have been a small number of incidents where non-foldable e-bikes have caught fire on the transport system in London.

“To ensure the safety of the network for customers and staff, customers in possession of non-foldable e-bikes will not be permitted to travel on most TfL services, including on the Tube, Overground, Elizabeth line and DLR.

“The ban includes all non-folding e-bikes, including standard cycles that have been converted to e-bikes using conversion kits.”

Aslef issued its safety warning after an e-bike caught fire on a platform at Rayners Lane Tube station in north-west London last month.

The fire was put out by crews from London Fire Brigade.

Finn Brennan, Aslef’s organiser on London Underground, said: “We welcome the announcement by TfL that non-folding e-bikes are to be banned from its services.

“This is something that Aslef’s health and safety reps have long campaigned for.

“It will reduce the risk of a serious accident, and the dangers caused by large numbers of unfolded e-bikes blocking exits in emergencies.

“We are pleased that TfL have listened to our concerns and acted on them.”

TfL said it is the first transport operator in the UK to enforce such a ban.

London Fire Brigade deputy commissioner for prevention, protection and policy, Charlie Pugsley, said: ”We welcome this move by Transport for London following their detailed safety review, as it acknowledges the risks that we know e-bike batteries can pose.

“While we recognise the sustainable benefits e-bikes, and micromobility generally, bring to our city, the reality is that across London we have been seeing an e-bike or e-scooter fire every other day, on average, and we have particular concern about the risk posed by conversion kits or modified e-bikes.

“When these fires occur, they can be sudden, incredibly ferocious and produce smoke that is extremely toxic.”

Transport Salaried Staffs Association general secretary Maryam Eslamdoust said: “This ban doesn’t go far enough. Folding e-bikes may be smaller, but they still use the same lithium-ion batteries, and they’re just as capable of catching fire or exploding.

“The risk doesn’t disappear just because a bike folds in half. To truly protect people on the network, TfL must extend the ban to include all e-bikes.

“Our members see first-hand the dangers these bikes pose. Any e-bike with a faulty battery, poor wiring or a cheap charger is a fire risk, regardless of whether it folds or not.”